Gary Lineker believes pushy parents are to blame for the shortcomings of the England football team, and has called for a ‘parental cultural revolution’ to improve the situation.

In a sweary article in the New Statesman, which was edited by Russell Brand this week, the Match of the Day presenter details the reasons he thinks the long-ball culture prevails in this country and why England ‘never produced, proportionally, as many technically efficient players as most other countries’.

A whole host of idiosyncrasies about youth football, including disproportionately sized pitches and goalposts, are ridiculed by the former England striker but chief among his complaints is the overzealous dad on the sideline.

Lineker, capped 80 times for the Three Lions, wrote: ‘This madness is only exacerbated by the maniacal parents on the touchline spouting nonsense at their children.

‘The competitive nature of most mums and dads is astounding. The fear they instil in our promising but sensitive Johnny is utterly depressing. We need a parental cultural revolution.

‘If we could just get them to shut the f*** up and let their children enjoy themselves, you would be staggered at the difference it would make.’